Prepare to handle money overseas. Before you go, notify your bank and credit card company of your travel, and check exchange rates. For information about using cash, debit/credit cards, and ATMs, read about your destination.

Get Required Documents

Apply early for a passport, or renew your old one. It should be valid for at least six months after you return home, and needs to have two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter. Check all family members’ passports because those for adults are valid for 10 years, but children’s passports only for five. U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport to leave and come back to the United States.

If you are traveling by land or sea, you must show proof of both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you return to the United States. For many land or sea trips, this means you can travel using the new U.S. passport card instead of a normal passport book. Read more about U.S. passport requirements.

Get a letter from your doctor for medications you are bringing. Some countries have strict laws, even against over-the-counter medications, so read about your destination before you go.

If you are traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or written consent from the other parent. Check with the embassy of your foreign destination before traveling.

Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss or theft.

Get Insured

Make sure you have health insurance whenever you are traveling abroad. If your U.S. health care plan does not cover you overseas, consider buying supplemental insuranceto cover medical costs and emergency evacuation. Foreign hospitals and doctors often require payment in cash, and Emergency medical evacuation can cost up to $100,000. Social Security and Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. Learn more at Your Health Abroad.

Also check if you have coverage for trip interruption/cancellation and loss or theft, to help pay for unexpected expenses.

Disclaimer

The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on or are linked to the above page. Inclusion of private groups on this page is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. The order in which names appear has no significance. The Department is not in a position to vouch for the information.

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